If you’re of a sure age, chances are you’ll keep in mind the SNL skit Taco Town, a satirical ship up of American eating places’ tendency to embiggen portion sizes till they problem the very idea of human dignity. In the sketch’s most memorable line, a babyfaced Andy Samberg yells “Pizza! Now that’s what I call a taco!”
I yelled that very same factor myself with the recent news that the NCAA basketball tournament is expanding to 76 teams starting next year. I’m not terribly sentimental about faculty basketball since I solely watch it within the spring as tourney time nears, however this can be a craven determination that no fan needs and that may solely make the sport worse and less interesting. It alerts, as soon as once more, a development-at-all-prices mindset on the a part of the game’s management (that means Greg Sankey and Tony Petitti) with no regard for the followers or the coed-athletes (are we nonetheless calling them that?).
Advertisement
What issues me extra is that this most likely means a 24-staff soccer playoff is inevitable.
Realistically, the 24-staff format was most likely a foregone conclusion as quickly because the BCS shuffled off this mortal coil. I suppose we must always depend our blessings that it took greater than a decade for the grasping vampire squids who run this sport to determine to woodchipper it past recognition. If you’re in favor of a much bigger playoff, I gained’t attempt to change your thoughts. But as I stay a disciple of Senator Blutarsky, listed below are my causes for skepticism.
The Regular Season Is Meaningless (for Some Teams)
On this week’s episode of Split Zone Duo, Bill Connelly stated {that a} 24-staff playoff means Ohio State won’t ever play one other significant common season sport once more. The similar might be true for a dozen different main manufacturers within the sport who’re by no means going to be in peril of lacking the playoff. Even as a fan of a staff in that group, that’s dangerous!
Advertisement
The conventional narrative about faculty soccer is that it had the Most Important Regular Season of any sport as a result of so few groups earned a title shot. For a lot of the sport’s historical past, a staff had nearly no margin for error if it wished to meet its best ambitions. Now, with 24 spots, mulligans for the bluebloods will abound. Losing to a rival could sting, nevertheless it gained’t derail a season prefer it as soon as did. Of course, because of NIL and extra participant freedom, a darkish horse could break by means of — Indiana is the reigning champion, in any case — however extra probabilities for established powers with higher participant improvement programs and higher prep recruiting will seemingly serve to consolidate titles in the identical arms.
I’m not saying we’ve to stuff the genie all the way in which again within the bottle, however 12 playoff spots is sufficient. Sometimes we want a postseason with out Ohio State, Alabama, and even GASP Georgia in it for the video games to have stakes.
It’s Not About Inclusion
I feel most individuals are cynical sufficient in regards to the motives of faculty soccer management to know that the expanded playoff isn’t designed to provide the G6 extra alternatives. But check out the final CFP rankings from final yr. There are solely three G6 groups on the listing, with two of them ranked beneath an 8-4 Iowa staff regardless of having fewer losses. Plus, the committee has already carried out rule modifications to prevent two G6 teams from ever making the 12-team field again after the debacle with Duke profitable and ACC and Notre Dame getting not noted final yr.
Advertisement
Sankey and Petitti aren’t going to advocate for a much bigger playoff to allow them to see Navy or East Carolina vying for a championship. In a 24-staff area, spots 18 by means of 24 are primarily going to an 8-4 Mizzou staff. What you’re going to get is the Reliaquest Bowl rebranded as a playoff sport.
The Expanded Playoff Won’t Solve Coach Firings/Buyouts
One of the explanations I’m most sure that growth is coming is as a result of coaches are consolidating around the idea. That’s most likely as a result of they imagine a much bigger playoff means higher job safety. Coaches can level to creating the playoff area as proof of success for his or her program to engender goodwill and maintain themselves employed.
Well, coaches, I’ve dangerous information for you. When you’re taking this job, you’re holding a wolf by the ears. What the boosters need is a championship, not making the sphere, and so they behave as responsibly with their cash as a sailor on shore go away. Gone are the times the place a Mark Richt-type will get a decade-plus to ship a nationwide title.
Advertisement
Do you suppose I’m unsuitable about this? Well, let’s take a look at some current tendencies. Gus Malzahn set a report with a buyout of simply over $21 million when Auburn fired him on the finish of the Covid season in 2020. That’s after he almost gained a nationwide championship in his first yr and nearly made the playoff once more in 2017 to say nothing of his work as OC there previous to his head teaching stint. Since then, Jimbo Fisher, Brian Kelly, James Franklin, and Mark Stoops have all eclipsed that complete. Fisher has a nationwide championship, Kelly is the winningest coach within the historical past of considered one of faculty soccer’s legacy packages, Franklin is the second-winningest coach in Penn State historical past, and Stoops is the winngest coach in Kentucky historical past. But none of them gained a title at that present college, and that’s what mattered.
One staff out of 138 can win a championship every year. Everybody else is in peril of the pink slip, and making the event as a 15 seed isn’t going to avoid wasting you for lengthy.
The Controversy Won’t Go Away
After final season ended with a silly, engineered controversy, I wrote about how further expansion wouldn’t solve the problem. There is not any approach to objectively decide a champion in a sport with this weird construction. That’s the entire level! If something, increasing the playoff will simply make the arguments worse and extra annoying.
I don’t know what it’s going to take to get me to cease watching faculty soccer, however I’ve a sense I’m going to seek out out.